Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of operating a digital jukebox system in which a server is connected to a plurality of jukeboxes, each said jukebox being configured to play audiovisual selections in response to user requests, wherein the server is configured to operate in connection with a processor to at least (a) define, for the jukeboxes, authorized uses of the audiovisual selections playable thereon, the authorized uses corresponding to rights that third parties have in the audiovisual selections, the rights requiring payment of royalties for the authorized uses of the audiovisual selections, and (b) verify, for the jukeboxes, the authorized uses to which the jukeboxes may put the selections, the method comprising: maintaining information on the authorized uses made by the jukeboxes; and determining the amount of royalties due for actual authorized uses.
A method for managing digital jukeboxes involves a central server connected to multiple jukeboxes that play audiovisual content based on user requests. The server defines and verifies authorized uses for audiovisual content on each jukebox, where these authorized uses are tied to third-party rights (e.g., master recording, public performance) that require royalty payments. The method includes tracking the actual authorized uses made by each jukebox and calculating the corresponding royalty amounts owed based on those uses. This allows for accurate royalty payments based on how the content is being used.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rights include master recording rights, mechanical rights, synchronization rights, and public performance rights.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes as described above, where a central server connected to multiple jukeboxes defines and verifies authorized uses for audiovisual content and tracks royalties, specifies that the rights requiring royalty payments include master recording rights (ownership of the original recording), mechanical rights (reproduction and distribution), synchronization rights (use in visual media), and public performance rights (playing music in public).
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authorized uses include playing the audiovisual selection without storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox, storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for unlimited play, and storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for a single play.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes as described above, where a central server connected to multiple jukeboxes defines and verifies authorized uses for audiovisual content and tracks royalties, includes the following authorized uses: playing the audiovisual selection directly without storing it on the jukebox (streaming), storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for unlimited playback, and storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for a single playback event.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the rights has a different required royalty, and further comprising maintaining information on the amount of each royalty for use in determining the amount of royalties due for each authorized use made by the jukeboxes.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes as described above, where a central server connected to multiple jukeboxes defines and verifies authorized uses for audiovisual content and tracks royalties, factors in different royalty amounts for each type of right (e.g., master recording, public performance). The system maintains a database of royalty rates for each right, used to calculate the total royalties due for each authorized use made by the jukeboxes, ensuring accurate payment distribution to rights holders.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein uses to be made by the jukebox include playing the audiovisual selection without storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox, storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for unlimited play, and storing the audiovisual selection on the jukebox for a single play.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes as described above, where a central server connected to multiple jukeboxes defines and verifies authorized uses for audiovisual content and tracks royalties, specifies that the actual uses made by the jukebox include playing the audiovisual selection without storing it (streaming), storing the audiovisual selection for unlimited play, and storing the audiovisual selection for a single play before deletion.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting to the jukeboxes from the server validation information indicating permissible usage types for the audiovisual selections.
A system and method for managing audiovisual selections in a networked jukebox environment addresses the challenge of controlling and validating the usage of media content across multiple jukebox devices. The invention involves a server that communicates with a plurality of jukeboxes to regulate the playback and distribution of audiovisual selections. The server stores a database of audiovisual selections and manages access permissions for these selections. The method includes transmitting validation information from the server to the jukeboxes, where this validation information specifies permissible usage types for the audiovisual selections. Usage types may include restrictions on playback duration, geographic limitations, or licensing terms. The server monitors and enforces these usage rules to ensure compliance with licensing agreements and operational policies. The jukeboxes receive the validation information and apply the specified usage restrictions when playing the audiovisual selections. This system ensures that media content is used in accordance with predefined rules, preventing unauthorized or improper usage. The invention improves content management in networked jukebox systems by centralizing control and validation of media usage.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the permissible usage types include at least (a) storage of data corresponding to the audiovisual selections in one or more of a plurality of formats, (b) prevention of storage of the data, and (c) playback of the audio-visual selection included in the data.
The method where the server sends validation information to the jukeboxes regarding permissible usage, builds on the previous description by elaborating the permissible usage types. These include (a) storing the audiovisual data in one or more formats on the jukebox, (b) preventing the jukebox from storing the audiovisual data at all, and (c) permitting playback of the audiovisual selection contained within the data, thus giving specific instructions to the jukebox on handling the media.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of formats include MMP, MP3 and WAV.
The method where permissible usage types include storage or prevention of storage of the audiovisual data, further defines the "plurality of formats" for storing data as including MMP, MP3, and WAV formats. This means the validation information can instruct the jukeboxes whether, how, and where to store media of MMP, MP3 and WAV formats.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein different selections have different defined authorized uses.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes as described above, where a central server connected to multiple jukeboxes defines and verifies authorized uses for audiovisual content and tracks royalties, specifies that different audiovisual selections can have different authorized uses assigned to them. For example, one song might be licensed for unlimited playback, while another is restricted to a single play.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least some data transmitted from the server to the jukeboxes is both encoded and encrypted.
In the method of managing digital jukeboxes, at least some of the data transmitted from the server to the jukeboxes is both encoded (formatted for efficient transmission) and encrypted (protected from unauthorized access). This ensures secure delivery of content and usage instructions to the jukeboxes, preventing tampering or unauthorized copying.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more multi-service servers are interposed between the server and the jukeboxes.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes, where a central server manages content and royalties for multiple jukeboxes, includes one or more multi-service servers positioned between the central server and the individual jukeboxes. These intermediate servers can provide additional services like caching, content delivery optimization, or regional content filtering.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein a plurality multi-service servers is interposed between the server and the jukeboxes, each said multi-server server being connected to the server and one or more jukeboxes.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes, where a central server manages content and royalties for multiple jukeboxes, includes multiple multi-service servers positioned between the central server and the individual jukeboxes. Each multi-service server is connected to the central server and to one or more jukeboxes, allowing for a distributed architecture and improved scalability.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein at least one multi-service server includes a system for the distribution of television programs by cable that includes a return channel.
The method using multiple multi-service servers between a central jukebox server and individual jukeboxes has at least one multi-service server which includes a cable television distribution system with a return channel. The return channel allows the jukebox to communicate back to the server, likely to report usage and request new content.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein at least one multi-service server includes a mobile telephone operator.
The method using multiple multi-service servers between a central jukebox server and individual jukeboxes has at least one multi-service server including a mobile telephone operator. This means that at least some jukeboxes communicate with the central server via a mobile network.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting to the jukeboxes from the server validation information indicating permissible usage types for the audiovisual selections, the validation information instructing the jukeboxes whether, how, and where to store media of different formats.
In the method for managing digital jukeboxes, the server sends validation information to the jukeboxes indicating permissible usage types. This validation information further instructs the jukeboxes whether to store media, how to store it (e.g., which format), and where to store it (e.g., specific storage location), based on the different media formats of the audiovisual selections.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the different formats include MMP, MP3 and WAV formats.
The method of sending validation information that instructs the jukeboxes whether, how, and where to store media of different formats, clarifies that the different formats include MMP, MP3, and WAV formats. The validation instructs on storage permissions for these formats.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein audiovisual selections playable on the jukebox devices are received from the server.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes specifies that the audiovisual selections played on the jukeboxes are received directly from the server. This highlights the centralized content management aspect of the system.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein payments are required by law or regulation.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes emphasizes that the royalty payments tracked are required by law or regulation, reinforcing the importance of accurate royalty calculation and reporting for legal compliance.
19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising assigning authorized uses of the audiovisual selections at the server for jukeboxes in connection with a code or unique key.
The method of managing digital jukeboxes involves assigning authorized uses of the audiovisual selections at the server for jukeboxes in connection with a code or unique key. This means each jukebox gets authorized access and uses determined by a code or key.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the assigning is performed on an individual jukebox-by-jukebox basis.
The method of assigning authorized uses of audiovisual selections using a code or unique key is performed on an individual jukebox-by-jukebox basis. This allows for granular control over content licensing and usage rights for each specific jukebox in the system.
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October 14, 2014
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